THOUSANDS of housing tenants today welcomed new landlords who have pledged to spend #40 million on their homes over the next five years.

Stafford Borough Council officially handed over its entire stock of 5,628 properties to the newlyformed housing association Stafford and Rural Homes.

The transfer of the houses, which have been managed by the council for more than a 100 years, came about after nearly 70 per cent of residents voted to ditch the cash-strapped authority in a ballot held last Marc.

The result of the ballot led to the setting up of the independent Stafford and Rural Homes to take over the management of the properties.

The housing association will spend millions of pounds on home improvements, starting next month.

Stafford and Rural Homes chief executive Karen Armitage promised to protect tenants' rights and entitlements, keep rents affordable and give tenants a bigger say in how their homes and housing services are run.

"We are pleased to accept this responsibility and we are committed to protecting tenants and the rights given to them by the council," she said.

"We will also ensure tenants enjoy improved homes, opportunities to influence the decision their landlord makes, keep rents affordable and look at new ways to invest in local and rural areas.

"It is an exciting time for us, for our customers and for our partners Connaughts, who start the work in April."